UN experts have called on France to fully amend the proposed new security law, calling it “incompatible” with international law and human rights.
Five independent U.N. Special reporters blamed the French government for the proposed law and said rewriting certain clauses was not enough to quarrel with it.
The law, which has been passed by MPs in the National Assembly and is to be considered by the upper house, the Senate, gives additional powers to the authorities, especially the police, and has been the subject of protests in recent weeks. It will ban the publication of police pictures under certain circumstances and allow further use of surveillance drones.
The five experts who drafted the report do not represent the UN, but present its findings to its human rights committee. They concluded that the law was “incompatible with international law and human rights.”
Media organizations argue in Article 24 of the law, which makes it an offense to publish photographs or film identifying police officers or genders on duty with “intent to cause physical or mental harm,” a threat to freedom of the press. The article has been put under discussion by recent allegations of police violence, including the beating of a black music producer.
The government has rejected the criticism, arguing photographs can still be published, but has agreed to rewrite the article, which was fought under pressure. However, the UN report also highlights another article, Article 22, which authorizes the use of drones for public surveys.
Independent journalists wrote that “among the many other elements of the proposed law that may limit human rights is Article 22, which recognizes the use of surveillance drones in the name of security and the fight against terrorism, which specifically monitors protesters closely.” “This has serious implications for the right to privacy, freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression in the country.”
On Article 24, they wrote: “Video images of police abuse captured by the public play an essential role in overseeing public institutions, which is fundamental to a country that respects the rule of law.”
The report further states: “Members of Parliament have stated that they will write Article 24 to limit the publication of pictures of police officers. This is a good sign, but they will have to go ahead and think twice about the purpose of the whole law. It will not address its grievances, and the proposed law is certainly not the only one that poses a threat to human rights. “
He called on France to conduct a thorough evaluation of the law to establish its compliance with international law.
A Paris police proposal on Saturday last month asked reporters to hand over a film of a demonstration against the law in the French capital. More than 60 police officers were injured in clashes with youths at the end of peaceful protests, officials said.
The Arit Sur Images website said a letter was sent to at least five photojournalists requesting footage published on social media from the protest to help with the “ongoing investigation”. The Paris prefect of the police has confirmed the art sur images that he had requested.
